A podcast featuring conversations with influential and interesting people from the water sector and news from the Water Environment Federation.
November 30, 2022
Radhika Fox is Assistant Administrator for Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In this episode, Radhika discusses a variety of issues that EPA is working on including infrastructure funding, water affordability, PFAS, and biosolids.
Hosted by Travis Loop
From WEFTEC Live 2022, a broadcast sponsored by Teledyne Isco.
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May 25, 2022
Jane Madden is a Senior Vice President and Global Practice Leader for Water Reclamation at CDM Smith. In this episode Jane discusses various aspects of PFAS including ways to manage the chemicals at water facilities, their presence in biosolids, and gaps in research that need to be filled.
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February 3, 2022
Mike Martin is Technical Services Director at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Chair of WEF’s Utility Management Committee and Zonetta English is Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director at the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and Vice-Chair of WEF’s Utility Management. In this episode Mike and Zonetta discuss some of the current issues and trends in utility management, including data management, workforce development, diversity, affordability, and PFAS. They also share how they are tackling these areas at their utilities in Milwaukee and Louisville. These topics are part of the programming at WEF’s Utility Management Conference on February 21-24.
Episode #209
Hosted by Travis Loop
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June 21, 2021
At Kimley-Horn, Uma Vempati is Senior Project Manager of Integrated Water Solutions, Mark Miller is Senior Water Treatment Speciaist, and Tanya Miro is Senior Marketing Specialist for Water and Wastewater. In this episode they discuss the latest news and trends for PFAS, including challenges utilities face in treatment and a successful project in Stuart, Florida. They also talk about EPA action on PFAS, development of regulations, and how utilities should be preparing for them. Learn more about PFAS and treatment on Kimley-Horn’s comprehensive webpage.
This episode is brought to you by Kimley-Horn.
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December 14, 2020
Janine Burke-Wells is Executive Director of the North East Biosolids & Residuals Association, Eric Spargimino is an Environmental Engineer and Project Manager at CDM Smith, and Chris Wilson is Chief of Processing Engineering and Research at Hampton Roads Sanitation District. In this episode they discuss how state limits on PFAS can impact biosolids programs and that a recent report found management costs for facilities increased by about 37 percent in response to regulations. Janine, Eric, and Chris also talk about case studies from the report, helpful technologies for PFAS treatment, and productive regulatory approaches by states.
Episode #170
Hosted by Travis Loop
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September 30, 2020
Martin Bureau is the Vice President of Innovation at Logistec Environmental. In this episode Martin discusses the problem of PFAS in water and the environment and the challenges facilities face in treatment. He shares the latest developments in PFAS solutions and the importance to calibrate the solutions based on the nature and size of the community’s specific needs.
This episode is brought to you by Logistec.
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September 9, 2020
Chris Wilson is the Chief of Process Engineering and Research at Hampton Roads Sanitation District. In this episode Chris discusses how his utility is like many others in trying to understand how to treat certain contaminants like PFAS, develop effective tools for doing so, and determine which ones to apply for what end purpose. He says the session he is moderating at WEFTEC Connect on Tuesday, October 6 at 3:30 p.m. will seek to augment technical and policy information on PFAS with a look at where those areas intersect and what that means for water utilities. Chris is known for taking a creative approach to sessions and hopes that makes the content more memorable for attendees.
Episode #156
Hosted by Travis Loop
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February 18, 2020
George Sprouse is Manager of Process Engineering and Research and Development at the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities and Co-Chair of the 2020 Residuals and Biosolids Conference. In this episode George explains the importance of capturing the energy and nutrients that are concentrated in biosolids and circulating those resources back into the community. He talks about using creative approaches to manage biosolids during uncertain times, particularly with PFAS concerns. George also discusses how the Metropolitan Council uses biosolids to generate energy and the role of technology in the future of biosolids management.
Episode #125
Hosted by Travis Loop
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February 3, 2020
Dr. Linda Lee is a Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Purdue University. In this episode Linda discusses the science of PFAS in water treatment, her recent article published in the Water Environment Research Journal, and how her work began 15 years ago when DuPont asked her to help expand knowledge of the so-called “forever chemicals.” She talks about current science on the presence and removal methods of PFAS in drinking water, wastewater, and biosolids. Linda also explains what is known about the fate and transport of PFAS into the soil, groundwater, and crops when biosolids are applied to agricultural land.
Episode #123
Hosted by Travis Loop
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January 30, 2020
Steve Dye is the Legislative Director and Claudio Ternieden is the Senior Director of Government Affairs for the Water Environment Federation. In this episode Steve provides a preview of key issues for Congress in 2020 including reauthorization of the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund and Water Infrastructure and Finance Innovation Act, legislation addressing PFAS, and grants for SSO and CSO programs. Claudio discusses potential action on regulatory topics including Waters of the United States, affordability, and peak wet weather flow. They encourage attendance at Water Week in D.C. on April 27-28 and participation in the Water Advocates program.
Episode #122
Hosted by Travis Loop
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August 5, 2019
Dr. Sally Brown is a Research Professor in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington. In this episode, Sally says biosolids are a science communication tool for the public, particularly as learning about the benefits help them get over the yuck factor. She also discusses innovative ways to use biosolids, including in urban stormwater management and growing cannabis. Sally says decades of research have shown biosolids to be safe and the sector must talk about the low level of risk from contaminants including PFAS compared to other household sources.
Episode #99
Hosted by Travis Loop
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October 29, 2018
Ronit Erlitzki is the Director of Business Development and Innovation and Richard Cavagnaro is the Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at AdEdge Water Technologies. In this episode, Ronit and Richard discuss how the state of science and technology make it an exciting time to work in water and how scientists and engineers are actually creative people. They talk about several hot issues including emerging contaminants such as PFOA and PFOS, the evolution of desalination, transferring technology to the market, and showcasing water careers to the next generation.
This episode is brought to you by AdEdge Water Technologies.
Episode #61
Hosted by Travis Loop
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July 16, 2018
Mike McGill is the President of WaterPIO. In this episode, Mike discusses the presence of the chemical GenX in the Cape Fear River and drinking water of Wilmington, N.C. He also talks about how utilities should approach crisis communications, particularly for emerging contaminants like PFOA, PFAS, and GenX. Mike explains the importance of regular, proactive communications from utilities to customers and the media, and how that approach provides benefits in emergency situations.
Episode #43
Hosted by Travis Loop
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